Tag: Liverpool

In the last of the Premier League games, before the International break, Newcastle take on Liverpool at St James’ Park in a game that sees Rafa Benitez face the team he managed to Champions League glory.

With Newcastle taking a sabbatical into The Championship last year, there was no corresponding fixture, but prior to that they’ve held the upper hand in recent renewals, winning 5, losing 3 and 1 draw. Newcastle won 2-0 the season they got relegated.

Since their return to the Premier League, Newcastle’s home form has been good. They’ve won 2 and lost 1 and sit 5th in the home league table. They lost 2-0 to Spurs on the opening game of the season, but since then have bounced back with home wins over West Ham and Stoke. Last weekends loss to Brighton put an end to a 3 match winning run.

Liverpool’s away form has been mixed, with a win a draw and a loss. They started the season with a 3 all draw at Watford, then got thumped 5-0 at Man City after the last international break, but won by the odd goal in five in their most recent away match at Leicester.

There’s been plenty of goals in Liverpool’s previous away games, so it’s no surprise bet365 are as short as 4/6 in the Over 2.5 goals market. For my fun bet on the match I’ll combine that with both teams scoring, offered at evens by bet365.

Saturday’s Live evening kick-off on BT Sport, sees Leicester take on Liverpool for the second time in a week. Leicester were the 2-0 winners on Tuesday, in the Carabao Cup, despite Liverpool dominating the first half of the match.

That match is unlikely to have too much bearing on tomorrow’s match, as both teams are likely to field significantly different sides to those who played in the mid-week match.

Leicester have had the slight upper-hand in this fixture, since being promoted back to the Premier League; winning 2 to Liverpool’s 1. The most recent being a 3-1 win to Leicester last season.

Liverpool come into the match in 8th place, with Leicester down in 15th, but Liverpool have not won either of their 2 previous away games, having opened with a 3-3 draw at Watford, followed up by a 5-0 thrashing at Man City. Jurgen Klopp will therefore be hoping for a more solid performance from his defence than he saw in the cup game. Leicester beat Brighton 2-0 in their first home game of the season, but were then beaten 2-1 by Chelsea, in their most recent home start in the League.

Last season it was Leicester’s home form that kept them out of relegation trouble and it’s likely to be the same again this season. By the same token Liverpool’s away form was good last year and if they want to be challenging at the top of the table this year, they’ll need to start winning their away games.

I could argue a case for either side winning the match and with that being the case, for my fun bet I’ll take the evens offered by bet365, for both teams to score and there be over 2.5 goals.

The Premier League’s week 4 will be headlined by Manchester City and Liverpool, as both clubs test their title credentials in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture. That isn’t the only big game of the weekend as Everton host Tottenham in a match between two teams that have sputtered during the first three weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Manchester United have the opportunity to move to a perfect 12 points from 12 in Saturday’s late game against Stoke.

Manchester City vs. Liverpool

Both teams have phenomenal attacks, yet both need to tighten up at the back to show they are title contenders. Liverpool are expected to have Philippe Coutinho in the team after his transfer saga to Barcelona ended in tears. Whether he will play or not is anyone’s guess. Manchester City haven’t been able to hit high gear yet. The team struggled against Everton in week 2, and another poor performance will make everyone question Pep Guardiola’s transfer purchases.

Two teams that have no momentum coming into the weekend. Arsenal are in shambles after yet another terrible transfer window. Bournemouth, on the other hand, have scored just once in three straight losses. Playing at home, Arsenal need a big performance from Alexis Sanchez and new boy Alexandre Lacazette.

Latest odds: Arsenal: 1/3, Bournemouth: 7/1, Draw 17/4

Brighton vs. West Brom

Has there been a team more surprising than West Brom? Okay, maybe Huddersfield, but the Baggies aren’t far off. West Brom have secured seven points from nine and have kept two clean sheets in the process. Brighton still haven’t scored this season, and the club scrambled for more attacking players on transfer deadline day. Will it help? Maybe, but West Brom are better than many will give them credit for.

Latest odds: Brighton to win: 8/5, West Brom to win: 15/8, Draw: 2/1

Everton vs. Tottenham

Will Wayne Rooney play? Some in the media are calling for him to be picked despite his drink-driving charge this week. One thing is for sure, Everton need him. The striker has tallied both of Everton’s goals this term, and no one else has looked likely of scoring. Tottenham aren’t the team they were last term, but a frantic end to the transfer window should help them. Are they top four material? Time will tell, but it’s hard to say they upgraded the team in the offseason.

Latest odds: Everton to win: 11/4, Tottenham to win: 1/1, Draw: 12/5

Leicester vs. Chelsea

The last two Premier League champions will do battle in Leicester, and both teams need wins for different reasons. Leicester have secured just three points, and the Foxes need to distance themselves from the bottom of the table already. Meanwhile Chelsea need to keep pace with the title contenders. Alvaro Morata is in good form for Chelsea, and has already tallied two goals this season.

Latest odds: Leicester to win: 7/2, Chelsea to win: 8/11, Draw: 11/4

Southampton vs Watford

Two teams on five points, and both clubs have potential to cause problems for the top sides in the division. Neither side have lost this term after three matches. Watford look to have found two gems in coach Marco Silva and forward Richarlison. Of course, Southampton have quality in their side too, and the Saints were able to retain the services of Virgil van Dijk.

Latest odds: Southampton to win: 3/5, Watford to win: 17/4, Draw: 3/1

Stoke vs. Manchester United

Manchester United have set the pace for teams in the Premier League this term. The Red Devils have been flying high behind the goals of Romelu Lukaku (three). Stoke have shown fight, beating Arsenal and drawing with West Brom. Although they will put up resistance, Manchester United should be far too powerful.

Taking points from Chelsea and Tottenham has put Burnley in a great position in this young season, and fans should be excited about the team’s prospects. On the other hand, Crystal Palace are terrible, and the team haven’t scored yet this season. Frank de Boer is on the hot seat and has one game to save his job. A loss to Burnley and the club will cut ties with the sack race leader.

Latest odds: Burnley to win: 5/4, Crystal Palace 23/10: Draw: 11/5

Swansea vs. Newcastle

Another fixture featuring potential Premier League strugglers. Swansea are just one point above Newcastle in the table. Both teams need wins to stave off the chance of an early relegation dogfight. This match probably won’t be pretty, and managers Paul Clement and Rafael Benitz will go head to head tactically to get the best of the other. Swansea should debut Renato Sanches, which will be quite exciting, even if the on-field product isn’t.

The weekend’s final game takes place on Monday as West Ham host Huddersfield. The Hammers have been dreadful despite spending quite a lot of money in the offseason. Slaven Biic is under pressure, and anything less than a win against the newly promoted side will probably see him sacked. Huddersfield have been playing well, and the team have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League. Huddersfield’s defence has been perfect keeping three clean sheets in three matches. Throwing another shut out wouldn’t be a surprise on Monday night.

Three match weeks have been played in the English Premier League, and one thing is for certain: anyone can be beaten. Well, almost anyone, as Manchester United have recorded the only 100% record this term.

The Red Devils spent over £147 million on three players, and so far, things have come up roses for Jose Mourinho’s side. Big summer signing Romelu Lukaku has tallied three goals this term, and leads the Premier League in goal scoring. The Belgian is 9/4 to finish the season as top scorer, according to Bet365. Meanwhile, Manchester United are 9/4 to win the league title, second only to city rivals Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s men have once again spent heavily, and over £200 million went on new recruits during the transfer window. The team’s defence still doesn’t look completely water tight despite adding a new goalkeeper and two new full-backs. Despite City dropping points at home to Everton in week 2, the team are still expected to win the Premier League. Bet365 has the club at odds of 7/5. The team’s clash against high-flying Liverpool on September 9th will be an early indication, if Manchester City have a legitimate chance of winning the league.

Speaking of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s team have looked very exciting in their opening three matches. The Reds have scored eight goals and absolutely humiliated Arsene Wenger and Arsenal in game week 3. Mohamed Salah looks like the best signing of the transfer window as he has been electrifying on Liverpool’s right side. Liverpool are 10/1 favourites to lift the title. A win at Manchester City and the Reds odds could lower.

Last season’s runners-up, Tottenham, spent the summer selling several players without replacing them until the last minute. The club didn’t upgrade their attack either, and so far, the team’s four points from a possible nine show the team have regressed in the early stages. Spurs are 14/1 to win the title, and with the players that left and the inability of the team to add high-quality players to compete for positions, Tottenham should struggle this term.

Reigning champions Chelsea were beaten 3-2 by Burnley at Stamford Bridge on opening day. However, a win away to Tottenham and a win at home against Everton followed. The Blues have pulled themselves together, and look likely of pushing to the top of the table for the title once more. Unlike last season, the Blues will be playing in Europe, and that could affect their plight for the Premier League trophy.

At the foot of the table sits three teams without points. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and West Ham are propping up the standings, and two of which have already considered sacking their manager. West Ham spent heavily in the transfer window adding Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez. According to reports, manager Slaven Bilic has already “thrown in the towel”, but the Hammers are still 4/1 to get relegated. Bilic is 3/1 to be sacked next.

Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer is also under pressure. The former Inter manager is 1/2 to be sacked next as Palace have gone without scoring this term. His attempt at an Ajax revolution hasn’t worked as yet. Palace are 13/8 to go down this season.

Huddersfield, who are 7/4 to be relegated, have started the season surprisingly well. The Terriers have taken seven points from nine and the club face off with struggling West Ham on September 11th with a chance to give themselves even more breathing space from the drop zone.

This season’s Premier League has been very much on the front foot. After three match weeks, 73 goals have been scored. Manchester United have looked the brightest, but will the team’s attack burn out before May?